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Big second quarter fuels Albany to 58-16 rout of Santo

With two trips to the state finals in the past three years, the Albany Lions are no strangers to football in December. That streak continued Friday, when the Lions struck early and often for a 58-16 win over Santo in a Region II-2A Division II area-round game at McMurry's Wilford Moore Stadium.

With two trips to the state finals in the past three years, the Albany Lions are no strangers to playing football in December.

That streak continued Friday, when the Lions struck early and often for a 58-16 win over Santo in a Region II-2A Division II area-round game at McMurry’s Wilford Moore Stadium.

Cutter Edgar ran for 187 yards and four touchdowns on just 11 carries while quarterback Brian Hamilton threw for 168 yards and a pair of scores as the Lions took control with a dominant second quarter.

“We got off to a slow start, but we were able to pick it up,” Hamilton said. “I absolutely hate not scoring on offense. It drives me insane if we don’t move the ball.”

Albany scored on its opening drive, going 75 yards in just four plays with Cameron Dacus finishing the drive off with a 19-yard touchdown run just 1:40 into the game.

Santo answered with Fabien Valenzuela's career-long 54-yard field goal with 5:59 left in the opening quarter to cut Albany’s lead to 7-3.

Dax Neece pushed the lead to 14-3 with a 14-yard touchdown catch before Destin Montelongo answered with a 58-yard touchdown run 25 seconds later.

The second quarter was all about the Lions as Edgar had touchdown runs of 4 and 27 yards, Adam Faith recovered a Neece fumble in the end zone and Brennan Abbate had a 37-yard interception return for a score to give Albany a 43-10 lead at halftime.

Edgar then added two more scoring runs in the third quarter, going 80 yards on the first and 1 on the second, to provide the final points of the game for the Lions.

Turning Point: With his team leading 21-10 in the second quarter, Brennan Abbate intercepted a Noah Maston pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown to snuff out any thoughts Santo had of pulling off a monumental upset.

Key Stat: Albany put up 29 points in the second quarter to seize control of the game, despite only gaining 151 yards on offense. Albany scored two touchdowns off turnovers in the first two minutes of the period.

What this means: Coach Denney Faith’s team got an easy win and stayed healthy as it looks to continue its recent postseason success.

Up Next: Albany will face the winner of Saturday afternoon’s game between Menard and Lindsay at a time, date and site to be determined.

Coach said: “I felt like we played really well and only gave up the one big run in the first half, but other than that we played really well defensively against an option team,” Albany coach Denney Faith said. “It’s stuff that you don’t see very often and I felt like we played it really well.”

Albany High School played Santo High School Friday during the Region I-3A area round game at McMurry University's Wilford Moore Stadium Nov. 24, 2017. Albany won, 58-16.
Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Quarterback Brian Hamilton kicks for a field goal out of Adam Faith's hands for Albany High School as Santos High School defensive back Jett Bryan sweeps into to attempt an intercept. Friday's Region I-3A area round game was played at McMurry University's Wilford Moore Stadium Nov. 24, 2017. Albany won, 58-16.
Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Lions running back Cutter Edgar takes the ball across the goal line for a touchdown as Albany High School faced Santo High School during Friday's Region I-3A area round game at McMurry University's Wilford Moore Stadium Nov. 24, 2017. Albany won, 58-16.
Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Albany High School wide receiver Dax Neece is taken for a ride after being tackled by a Santo High School defensive player during Friday's Region I-3A area round game at McMurry University's Wilford Moore Stadium Nov. 24, 2017. Albany won, 58-16.
Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News